February 12, 2009
Bayfront Park’s Farmers' Market and Lunchtime Experience Returns!
(Miami, FL) ---- Tired of doing the same thing for lunch? Bayfront Park has a healthy, fun alternative - Bayfront Park’s Farmers' Market and Lunchtime Experience! Back for the third year, the market starts Thursday, February 19th and will run for seven consecutive Thursdays until April 2nd. Located in the center of the park on the Flagler Promenade, the market will showcase some “returning” vendor favorites selling fresh, locally grown produce; exotic fruits; organic honey; orchids; herb plants; and homemade guacamole, as well as new vendors selling natural and organic body care, baked goods, ceviche, and more.
In addition to the Farmers' Market area, people will be able to enjoy their lunch by the bay with food and beverage vendors, tables and chairs, and restrooms on site. There will also be live music with different performers and genres every week. This year there will be weekly drawings for a multitude of prizes such as a box of locally grown, seasonal produce; tickets to the Miami Heat, and the Adrienne Arsht Center; free admission to Jungle Island; dinners; gift certificates; and even an autographed copy of the Estefan Kitchen cookbook by Emilio & Gloria Estefan. Please see a complete list of donating organizations below and please visit www.bayfrontparkmiami.com for contest details.
The market and lunchtime experience will take place on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the target audience is the downtown Miami workforce. “We wanted to do something for the downtown worker,” said Tim Schmand, Executive Director of Bayfront Park. “Our facility has so many wonderful events that are inclusive of the whole community. Adding this event enabled us to focus on our daytime neighbors while achieving partnerships with neighboring organizations such as Health Foundation of South Florida and Miami Downtown Development Authority, and all of the organizations who generously donated the prizes.”
“In addition, one of the goals of the Bayfront Park Management Trust is to create a compelling reason to visit Bayfront Park and The Farmers' Market and Lunchtime Experience meets this goal. We have created a lively environment and a place where people can eat lunch. We know the average worker does not have that much time so they are able to shop, eat lunch, relax by the bay and enjoy themselves all in one place. The affordability of the market items also plays a key role.”
"With so many of us working to tighten our family budget, Bayfront Park’s Farmers’ Market offers the perfect opportunity to buy wholesome and healthy foods without putting a strain on our wallets," said Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who serves as chairman of the Bayfront Park Management Trust. "Plus our perfect weather and the park's gorgeous views of the bay make it a beautiful lunchtime getaway."
As a sponsor, this Farmers' Market fits with the Health Foundation of South Florida’s goals of promoting healthy lifestyles of individuals, families and communities. By introducing the downtown workforce (approximately 190,000) to fresh, locally grown produce it gives those people an opportunity to be aware of a healthier way of eating while promoting the growth of our local agriculture.
According to Health Foundation Chairwoman Susan Kelley, “Unlike shopping in the grocery store, this experience gives people the chance to interface with the farmers and hear their stories. Also, the locally grown produce lasts longer because it has not undergone any processing and the time from farm to consumer is much shorter.”
“The Farmers’ Market is one of the many advantages of living and working in Downtown,” said Miami City Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, who serves as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority. “Downtown Miami is the walkable, livable alternative to sprawl.”
Farmers' Markets continue to gain in popularity. The United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A) reported a 6.8% increase in the number of markets since August 2006. The total number of Farmers' Markets in the United States has grown to 4,685 (Aug. 2008) from 1,755 in 1994, the year the U.S.D.A. started reporting. In 2006, the U.S.D.A. even declared a National Farmers’ Market Week.
Bayfront Park’s Farmers’ Market and Lunchtime Experience
Thursdays from 11:00am-3:00pm: February 19 - April 2, 2009
Rain or Shine!
The actual dates are:
February 19 ▪ February 26 ▪ March 5 ▪ March 12 ▪ March 19 ▪ March 26 ▪ April 2
Bayfront Park
301 N. Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
305-358-7550
Presented by Bayfront Park Management Trust
Sponsored by Health Foundation of South Florida and Miami Downtown Development Authority, with the support of UF / Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service, and the City of Miami
PRIZES* DONATED BY:
Adrienne Arsht Center
Bee Heaven Farm
Bongos Cuban Café/Bongos Nightclub
Churchill’s Barber Shop
Estefan Enterprises
Historical Museum of Southern Florida
Island Queen (Bayside Marketplace)
Jungle Island
Larios on the Beach
Metro Beauty Center
Miami Art Museum
The Miami Heat (American Airlines Arena)
The Knife Steakhouse (Bayside Marketplace)
Whitman Family Museum
*all prizes are subject to change
I don't know about you, but I think it sounds like some fun...
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